Charles Dickens makes an appearance at the Tower of London the day after Boxing Day when the ancient Royal Palace stages its Victorian-theme Beefeater tours.

Visitors get a chance to meet the most-celebrated author of the age who popularised Christmas conventions such as giving presents and singing carols through his classic novel ‘A Christmas Carol’. They may even catch a glimpse of Queen Victoria herself.

The idea behind the tours is to show how many of our traditional Christmas customs were new to the Victorians.

Visitors will see Scrooge forced to travel through Christmas Past, Present and Future as Dickens reads excerpts from his work.

They can also stroll along to the New Armouries Caf� to the sights and sounds of the boisterous Penny Gaff, the music-hall of its day, but beware of rogues hiding in the shadows.

The Yuletide events which actually begin on December 27 and run till New Year’s Eve are aimed at invoking the spirit of a Victorian Christmas. Our Victorian forefathers were filled with wonder when The Tower was officially opened for the first time to the public.

The Tower is open Tues-Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun-Mon 10am-4.30pm, tickets �20.90 adult, �10.45 children.